BRPI0611027A2 - shopping cart mountable portable information terminal and removable memory device usable with this - Google Patents

Abstract

These are computer readable systems, methods and media, consistent with the principles of some embodiments of the present invention, for providing product acquisition information management, including receiving a list of a plurality of products for purchase on a computing device. where the list includes an indication representing whether the plurality of products has been selected for purchase, updates the list with an indication that at least one of the plurality of products has been selected for purchase when the personal computing device receives information that one of the plurality of products has been selected, update the list by adding at least one new product, representing ingredients of a recipe, to the list when the personal computing device receives input from which the recipe has been selected; and display the updated list.

Description

"PORTABLE PURCHASE INFORMATION PURCHASE AND REMOVABLE MEMORY DEVICE USED WITH THIS".

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 675,849, filed April 29, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable information terminal which may be mounted to a shopping cart and to an external memory device usable therewith, and more specifically to a portable information terminal having a configured aperture. To receive a portable memory device, the opening is protected by a door and directed to a portable memory device configured to open the door when inserted into the opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shopping carts have been essentially unchanged for many years. Recently, however, with the availability of inexpensive compact computing power, attempts have been made to add small computers to shopping carts to assist users with purchases. For example, it is known to connect barcode readers to shopping carts to allow users to perform price checks and / or perform an automatic check. An example of such a system is described in U.S. Patent 5,361,871 to Gupta, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. However, the Gupta device also appears to interfere with proper cart alignment and requires electrical contact that depends on the base. reloading cart, which would likely be damaged when moving the cart through store aisles and / or curbs in a store parking lot. Systems such as that described in Gupta are not believed to have been widely adopted.

Related consumer aiding devices, which are attached or otherwise detachably mounted to a shopping cart handlebar are also known. However, they must be taken off a shelf or other storage location by the user and attached to a cart handlebar before use. When a customer arrives at the checkout, store employees must either unplug the cart unit and return it to a storage and / or charging station or trust the customer to perform these actions. These inconveniences are believed to have led to such devices not being widely adopted.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an electronic consumer aid device which is easy to use and maintain and which does not suffer from the disadvantages mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses these and other problems, wherein a first feature is a system comprising a portable shopping cart-mountable information terminal for providing product and advertisement information while the cart is moved within a store and a device external memory pluggable to the portable information terminal. The external memory device includes a memory housing, a nonvolatile data storage memory in the memory housing, and a first electrical connector that protrudes from the housing to allow a processor to access the stored data. The handheld terminal includes a terminal housing with a display, a processor in the terminal housing for bringing the display to display product information and announcements, and a second electrical connector within the complementary housing to the first electrical connector for connecting an external memory device. to the processor. The terminal housing includes a passageway providing access to the second electrical connector from outside the terminal housing and at least one door embedded in the passageway displaceable from a first position that locks the passageway to a second position by inserting the device. of external memory in the pass.

Another aspect of the invention comprises a portable shopping cart-mountable information terminal for providing product and advertisement information while the cart is moved within a store. The terminal comprises a housing including a display, a processor in the housing for bringing the display to display product information and advertisements and an electrical connector within the housing for connecting an external memory device to the processor. The housing includes a passage providing access to the electrical connector from outside the housing and a door embedded in the passage and movable between a first position blocking the passage and a second position by inserting an external memory device into the passage.

Another feature of the invention comprises an external memory device usable with a system comprising a portable information terminal mountable in a shopping cart to provide product information and advertisements while the cart is moved within a store and an external memory device connectable to the portable information terminal. . The external memory device includes a memory housing, a nonvolatile data storage memory in the memory housing, a first electrical connector that protrudes from the housing to enable a processor to access the stored data, and a member that protrudes from the said memory housing adjacent said first electrical connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Various aspects and features of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description along with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a portable information terminal having a housing holding an electronic module and having a gateway for receiving a removable memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the information terminal of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the information terminal of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a first removable memory device for use with the information terminal of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a second removable memory device for use with the information terminal of Figure 1 including a projection for releasing a tab on a door in the housing;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the removable memory device of Figure 5 with its cover removed;

Figure 7 illustrates a passage in the housing of Figure 1 for receiving the memory device of Figure 5;

Figure 8 illustrates the memory device of Figure 5 being received in the passage of Figure 7;

Figure 9 illustrates an information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention used with a cart wheel locking device where the wheel locking device is controlled by the information terminal;

Figure 10 illustrates the wheel locking device of Figure 9 locking a cart wheel 'when a memory device is not present at the information terminal;

Figure 11 illustrates the wheel locking device of Figure 9 which unlocks a cart wheel when a memory device is inserted in the passage in the information terminal housing;

Figure 12 schematically illustrates the alignment of various shopping carts, carts including the information terminals of Figure 1;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of several nested carts including the information terminals of Figure 1 where the information terminals are electrically interconnected for battery recharging;

Figure 14 illustrates a plurality of nested carts including a second embodiment of an information terminal connected to a handlebar in accordance with the present invention having batteries being recharged by an enclosure having charging rails;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of one end of the handlebar of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is an elevation view of the handlebar end of Figure 15;

Figure 17 schematically illustrates an information terminal mounted on a handlebar connected between two loading rails of the enclosure of Figure 14;

Figure 18 illustrates a third embodiment of the information terminal in which electrical connectors are integrated into a locking device for securing adjacent trolleys;

Figure 19 illustrates one of the electrical connectors of Figure 18 in a housing in an adjacent cart;

Figure 20 is a plan view of the connector end of Figure 19;

Figure 21 illustrates a loading rail and guide channel arrangement for charging the battery of an information terminal connected to a handlebar;

Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of one end of the handlebar and loading rail of Figure 21;

Figure 23 illustrates a cross section of a first handlebar handlebar;

Figure 24 illustrates a cross section of a second handlebar handlebar;

Figure 25 illustrates a cross section of a third handlebar grip;

Figure 26 is a schematic elevation view illustrating a door in the passageway of Figure 1;

Figure 27 is a schematic elevational view of a memory device holding the door of Figure 26 open;

Figure 28 is a schematic elevational view of the first and second portions in the passage of Figure 1;

Figure 29 is a schematic elevation view of a memory device holding the doors of Figure 28 open; Figure 30 is a schematic elevation view of a first tab in a locking position for securing the door of Figure 26;

Figure 31 is a schematic elevational view of the tongue of Figure 30 in a disengaged position;

Figure 32 is a schematic elevational view of a third tab for securing the door of Figure 26;

Figure 33 is a schematic elevation view showing two of the tabs of Figure 32 holding the door of Figure 26;

Figure 34 is a plan view of two doors in the passageway of Figure 1;

Figure 35 is a schematic elevation view illustrating a tab for securing the doors of Figure 34;

Figure 36 is a schematic elevation view showing the tongue of Figure 35 which is opened by the memory device of Figure 5; and

Figure 37 is an information terminal with no handlebar portions connected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, the views are given for purposes of illustration only of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and not for purposes of limitation thereof. Figure 1 illustrates an information terminal in the form of a trolley handlebar 10 comprising the first and second handle bars 12 extending from a central housing 14. The central housing 14 includes a screen 16, preferably a touch screen, and a hollow interior for containing an electronic module or modules, a battery 15, shown in Figure 17, a circuit board, a barcode reader 17, and other functional elements discussed herein. Housing 14 includes a first portion or front portion 18 formed integrally with the handle bars 12 and a rear portion 20 mounted to the front portion 18 or removably using fasteners such as screws or via a socket, or permanently using suitable adhesives, for example. When the rear part 20 is removably mounted, a suitable gasket is provided to ensure a watertight seal that will at the same time allow the unit to breathe and minimize condensation formed within the hollow interior of the housing 14.

While the information terminal of Figure 1 includes connected handlebar parts 12, it is also possible to form information terminal 10 without handlebar parts 12 and instead to provide mounting hardware (not shown) for connecting a control terminal. information 10 to an existing trolley handlebar. An information terminal 10 'without handlebar portions 12 is illustrated in Figure 37.

Handle bars 12 include the grip parts 21 and attach to the housing 14 on the reinforced parts 22 to increase the strength of the handlebar 10 and to reduce the likelihood of damage where the handle bars 12 join the housing 14 when the handlebar is pushed or pulled or when housing 14 is pressed down. The grip portions 21 have a circumference (or periphery if the grip portion does not have a circular cross section) of approximately 8 centimeters (3 inches) or most of its length to make them comfortable to grip by a user. The reinforced parts 22 are enlarged and have a larger circumference or periphery that extends from the periphery of the gripping part 21 to the sidewall of the housing 14. As will be appreciated from Figures 1 and 2, the enlarged reinforced part 22 surrounds the grip portions 21 of handle bars 12 on all sides such that a cross section of the grip pole 21 projected toward the housing 14 will pass therethrough without intercepting the circumference or larger periphery of the reinforced portions 22.

The housing and internal components are adapted to operate over a wide temperature range, from 45 ° C to 70 ° C, for example, such that the device can, for example, be stored outdoors in both extreme winter conditions and in direct sunlight in summer, and be resistant to both moisture and impacts that are likely to be suffered by a shopping cart handlebar. Handle bars and housing are preferably made from a suitable thermoplastic material.

The battery 15 is rechargeable and should be able to operate the electronics modules for approximately 16 hours before recharging. The housing 14 includes an opening 24 for receiving a modular barcode reader 17 and a passage 28 providing access to a 1/1 port. Internal or connector 30, illustrated in Figure 8, for example, which in the presently preferred embodiment comprises a USB port. Hardware contained in housing 14 will perform various functions and provide various screen displays 16 that functions and displays do not comprise a part of the present description.

Hardware in housing 14 may be activated by inserting an activation device into port 30. In the present embodiment, the activation device comprises a solid state storage device 32 with a compatible USB interface to port 30. Alternatively, the module could be activated using the barcode reader 17 to scan a barcode uploaded by an authorized user - on a consumer loyalty card, for example. When storage device 32 is used, information about a user on device 32 may optionally be made available to a processor in housing 14 and / or transmitted to a central server in wireless communication with the electronic cart handlebar 10.

Memory device 32 may be used to receive and store information from information terminal 10 or a server in communication with the terminal, information which a user may access in the future using, for example, a personal computer. Where privacy is a problem, device 32 may merely contain a serial number to identify device 32 to a secure server in communication with the electronics module. In such cases, no personal information would be stored on device 32. This would substantially prevent the description of private information if a device 32 is lost. For purposes of the present disclosure, it is merely necessary to know that an authorized user can be identified on a processor in housing 14 with either device 32 or a bar code on a consumer loyalty card, and that a processor in the electronics module, which may be, for example, wirelessly communicating with a server and / or the internet, may provide information to the user of the information terminal 10 based on previously stored preferences.

Removable memory device 32 is illustrated in Figures 4, 27 and 29 and includes a body part 34 in which a suitable compact flash memory or other solid state memory 35 is contained, a USB connector 36 that can be inserted into the unit 30 , a cap 38 and a ring 40 or similar arrangement to enable device 32 to be connected to a key ring.

As discussed above, the information terminal 10 is adapted for use both indoors and outdoors and therefore must be weather resistant. For this reason, it is not practical to locate an exposed USB or other 1/0 port outside the housing 14. Instead, with respect to Figures 26 and 27, it is desirable to provide a lock to protect the connector 30 and the interior of the housing.

While Figure 1 illustrates the passageway 28 at the top of the housing 14, it may be provided at other locations of the housing as well, and will generally be provided toward the bottom of the housing 14 and / or angled upwards to minimize direct exposure. to rain and snow.

In one embodiment, a door 150, illustrated in Figures 26 and 27, is provided in passage 28. Door 150 forms a seal with side walls 152 of passage 28 to minimize moisture ingress into that opening in housing 14. Door 150 is pivoted toward the closed position shown in Figure 26 by a spring 154, but can be rotated to open on hinge 156 when memory device 34 is inserted in passage 28 as shown in Figure 27. As will be appreciated from these Figures, door 150 will rotate to close under the influence of spring 154 when memory device 34 is removed from housing 14.

Figures 28 and 29 illustrate a different closure arrangement for passage 28, which includes first and second doors 160 in passage 28, each hinged toward a closed position by a spring 162. As illustrated in Figure 29, insert memory device 34 in passage 29 opens doors 160 against spring pivoting force 162 to provide access to door 30. Doors 160 return to a closed position under the influence of springs 162 when memory device 34 is removed It may sometimes be desirable to provide a tab for holding a door 150 or doors 160 to reduce the chance of foreign objects being inserted into passage 28. The size of passage 28 will generally be smaller than a finger. adult, but a child should be able to damage door 30 with a small stick or similar object. When an adult intends to damage the information terminal 14, he will most likely be able to destroy such a tongue with a hammer and a screwdriver, for example, the added security provided by a hitch mechanism will make tampering with internal components more occasional.

A first locking mechanism, illustrated in Figures 30 and 31, is installed in a door 150 of Figure 26. This mechanism comprises a locking member 170 slidably mounted on door 150 and pivoted by a spring 172 in an opening 174 which may be provided on a wall of housing 14 or by a separate tongue member 176 shown in Figures 30 and 31. A pin 178 extends through door 150 and is held in the raised position of Figure 30 by a spring 180. A wire 182 is connected to one end of pin 178 and extends via a clamp 184 to the end of latch member 170. When pin 178 is depressed by memory device 34 as illustrated in Figure 31, wire 182 pulls latch member 170 away from the latch member 176 and allows the door 150 to open under the force of the memory device 34.

An alternate engagement arrangement is illustrated in Figures 32 and 33, where door 150 is prevented from opening by one or more tongue members 190. Each tongue member 190 includes a cam surface 192 protruding from the sides 152 28 and a tongue end 194 adjacent door 150. Inserting a memory device 34 into passage 28, therefore, pushes it outwardly into the meat surface or surfaces 192 and moves the tongue end or ends 194 out of the door 150, and thereby allows door 150 to be opened when a memory device 34 is pressed against it. Reed members 190 operate independently of each other. Therefore, when two or three reed members 190 are provided, it is difficult to activate all reed members 190 simultaneously without using a memory device 34 or an object of similar size and shape.

An alternate memory device 42 is illustrated in Figure 5. The memory device 42, in addition to a body portion 44 comprising solid state memory 35, a USB connector 46, a lid 48 and a ring 50, includes a key member 52 having a predetermined shape, which is a cross in the present embodiment. The shape of the key member 52 combines with the shape of a key opening 54, shown in Figures 7 and 34-36, in a door adjacent to the housing 30. The key member 52 fits into the key opening 54 when Memory device 42 is used. Key member 52 protrudes beyond body 46 than connector 46 and thus enters key opening 54 and activates a release mechanism 56 that unlocks doors 58 over door 30. Release mechanism 56 includes a cam 200 pivotable about an axle 202 and connected to a tongue 204 such that pressure applied by projection 52 against cam 200, turns the cam and pulls tongue 224 away from port 58, and thereby allows ports 58 (only one of which shown in Figures 35 and 36) turn inward when the USB connector 46 is pressed against it. And, as projection 52 extends beyond the housing of the memory device 44 rather than the USB connector 46, the tab 204 remains in the retracted position shown in Figure 36 until the ports 58 close behind the memory device 42 as it extends. This arrangement makes it difficult for a user to use an unauthorized device on USB port 30. Key 52 can be retractable with a button 53, for example, as illustrated in Figure 5, to make the USB drive 30 usable with standard USB ports, such as the ports found on a user's personal computer.

In addition to activating electronics modules in housing 14, inserting memory device 32 or 42 may perform a safety function as well. As illustrated in Figures 9-12, cart 59 to which information terminal 10 is connected may include a wheel locking arrangement for securing wheels 60 of shopping carts. Such wheel locking devices may comprise a solenoid 62 for selectively driving a rod 64 into an opening in wheel 60 to substantially prevent wheel 60 from turning. Solenoid 62 is controlled by signals from the processor in housing 14 and only unlocks wheels 60 when an authorized memory device 32, 42 is inserted into port 30.

Figure 12 illustrates a plurality of nested shopping carts 70 equipped with information terminals 10. The size and position of housing 14 substantially prevents terminals 10 from interfering with cart alignment when mounted on a variety of shopping carts. In addition, the information terminal 10 is preferably mounted such that screen 16 is approximately 30 degrees from the horizontal to improve visibility and minimize glare while not interfering with the use of a baby carrier in the stroller or with the cart alignment.

Figure 13 illustrates a series chaining arrangement for recharging batteries 15 contained in housing 14 of a plurality of nested trolleys 80, 82, 84. As will be apparent from these Figures, each housing 14 includes a power cord 86, which is plugged in. 88 and an indicator LED 90 that turns on when power is being supplied to the cart on which LED 90 is mounted. Power cord 86 on the first trolley 80 is connected to a DC 92 power supply (such as a transformer connected to an AC power supply), power cord 86 on the second trolley 82 is plugged into socket 88 of the first trolley 80 , and the power cord 86 of the third trolley 84 is plugged into the socket 88 of the second trolley 82. The LEDs 90 on each trolley turn on when this trolley is connected to a power source. In this way, it is readily determined if all carts in a nested series are being reloaded. This arrangement is much better suited for a "last in, first out" arrangement of strollers and is therefore mainly used in situations where stroller groups are connected and fully charged at night, for example, before being used. by buyers. In an alternate arrangement, each of the plurality of nested strollers could be individually plugged into a power supply until fully charged. This would allow the longest loaded trolleys to be first removed from a series of trolleys over the course of a working day.

Figure 14 illustrates a trolley fence 100 having first and second tracks 102, each of which is provided with an electrically conductive charging rail 104, best seen in Figure 17, connected to a power supply 103. The fence 100 first includes and second angled guide members 106 to guide a cart in the pen. Electrical contacts 108 at the ends of the handlebar portions 12 make electrical contact with these charging rails to recharge a battery 15 within the housing 14. The contacts 108 may alternatively be formed into separate end caps 107 which may be connected to the portions of the housing. handlebar 12 after they are cut to the appropriate length. Either the contacts 108 or loading rails 104 may be flexible or dislodged to ensure a good electrical connection between contacts 108 and loading rail 104 even when the separation between the rails 102 and / or the separation between the ends of the handlebars 10 is not constant. . Alternatively, the end caps 107 may be telescopedly mounted on the handlebar bar portions 12 and held apart by spring action to accommodate variations in the separation between the loading rails. Enclosure 100 may additionally include hinged flaps 112 or similar structures to ensure that such carts pass through the enclosure in one direction and that the cart that has been loaded for the longest time is removed first to provide first-in, first-off recharging. leaves".

Figure 18 illustrates a loading system integrated into a series chaining cart safety system. In such a security system, nested carts are secured by inserting a chained member 114 to a cart in a slot 116 in an adjacent cart. Member 114 may be released by inserting a coin or fixed to release a single cart. The coin or token is returned when the cart is returned to the nested row of carts after use. An example of such a series chain locking system (which does not include the electrical charging system of the present invention) is illustrated in Lenader US Patent 4,474,282, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. As illustrated in Figures 19 and 20, member 114 includes a hook 115 that connects to a locking mechanism in slot 116 and electrical contacts 118 that engage electrical contacts 120 in slot 116 to electrically connect two carts. The electrical contacts 120 in slot 116 are in turn connected by wire 121 to the electrical contacts 118 of a member chained to that cart which may be inserted into slot 116 of an adjacent cart in a manner similar to electrically connecting and mutually holding. a plurality of nested carts in series.

Figure 21 illustrates a recharging system comprising a single rail 130 mounted, for example, on a wall 132. Rail 130 includes a channel 133 in which a pair of spaced electrical contacts 134 are mounted one above the other to making electrical contact with a pair of vertically projecting electrical contacts 136 at the end of a trolley handlebar 138. A guide channel 140 is provided on the rail adjacent to the ground 130 to assist in guiding the trolley wheels and properly positioning the trolley handlebar. 138 with respect to rail 130. This arrangement is space-efficient and allows recharging a battery through a single end of a cart handlebar.

The present invention has now been described in terms of various preferred embodiments. Obvious additives and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant techniques upon reading the descriptive report. It is intended that all such obvious modifications and additives be included within the scope of this invention.

Claims (20)

1. System, Characterized by the fact that it comprises a portable shopping cart-mountable information terminal to provide product information and announcements while the shopping cart is moved within a store and an external memory device plugs into the portable shopping terminal. information, the external memory device comprises: a memory housing; a nonvolatile data storage memory in the memory housing; and a first electrical connector that protrudes from the housing to allow a processor to access stored data; the portable terminal comprises: a terminal housing including a screen; a processor in the terminal housing for bringing the screen to display product information and advertisements; and a second electrical connector within the housing complementary to a memory device external to the processor; the terminal housing includes a passage providing access to the second electrical connector from outside the terminal housing, and at least one door embedded in said first position displaceable passage that locks said passage to a second position by inserting the external memory device in the pass. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that said memory housing has a transverse shape and said passageway is complementary to said transverse shape for slidingly receiving said memory housing. System according to claim 1 / characterized in that it includes a tongue movable between a engaged position which prevents at least one said door from moving from said first position to said second position; and a disengaged position allows at least one said door to be moved from said first position to said second position. System according to claim 3, characterized in that said tongue includes an activation part projecting in said channel. System according to claim 4, characterized in that said memory housing includes a part for engaging said activation part. System according to claim 4, characterized in that said tongue includes an activation part in at least one said door. System according to claim 5, characterized in that said activation part is positioned to be activated by said first electrical connector when said memory device is inserted into said passage. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes at least two tabs each displaceable between a locked position preventing at least one said door from shifting from said first position to said second position; and a disengaged position allowing at least one said door to be moved from the first position to said second position. System according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one said door is pivoted towards said first position. A system according to claim 3, characterized in that said memory housing includes a projection adjacent said first electrical connector for displacing said tongue to said disengaged position. System according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one said door comprises the first and second doors. 12. A portable shopping cart-mountable information terminal to provide product information and announcements as the cart is moved within a store, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a housing that includes a screen; a processor in the housing to bring the screen to display product information and advertisements; an electrical connector inside the housing for connecting an external memory device to the processor; the housing includes a passage providing access to the electrical connector from outside the housing, and at least one door embedded in said passage and movable between a first position blocking said passage and a second position by inserting an external memory device in the passage. Portable information terminal according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one said door comprises at least one hinged door connected to the housing. Portable information terminal according to claim 13, characterized in that it includes a tongue movable between a engaged position preventing at least one said door from moving from said first position to said second position; and a disengaged position allowing at least one said door to be moved from said first position to said second position. Portable information terminal according to claim 14, characterized in that said tongue includes an activation portion projecting on said channel. Portable information terminal according to claim 14, characterized in that said tongue includes an activation part in at least one said port. 17. External memory device usable with a system comprising a portable shopping cart-mountable information terminal for providing product information and advertisements while the cart is moved within a store and an external memory device pluggable to the portable information terminal , CHARACTERIZED by the fact that. comprises: a memory housing; a nonvolatile data storage memory in the memory housing; a first electrical connector that protrudes from the housing to allow a processor to access the stored data; and a projecting member projecting from said memory housing adjacent said first electrical connector. External memory device according to claim 17, characterized in that the projection member has a cross section selected to correspond to the cross section of an aperture in an information terminal with which the external memory device is used. External memory device according to claim 17, characterized in that said projection member is retractably mounted on the memory housing. External memory device according to claim 19, characterized in that it includes a button for retracting said projection member.